This Montblanc Twincounter watch looks like a chronograph with its two subdials, but in fact it has just the time functions plus date. Probably some people buy chronographs just because they like the look of the subdials. Perhaps Montblanc was thinking of this marketing aspect when designing this watch, in which there are two subdials, but nothing to do with a chronograph: one is for continuous seconds, one for the date. The result is a simple, elegant, minimalist watch, at an entry-level price. It’s sleek and slim, 40 mm in diameter and 9.85 cm thick. The attractive features include the diversified hand design, and in particular the arrow hand for the date, and the downward-sloping bezel. The Montblanc star doesn’t appear on the dial, only on the crown. The black alligator strap seems to have a curved springbar, a nice detail touch.

The design inspiration came from the double-counter chronographs of the 1950s, and in particular from a watch made by Minerva, the brand that Montblanc acquired in 2007.

Inside the case, there is the MB 24.23 self-winding automatic movement, which is based on the Sellita SW200 which Montblanc has modified by changing the date display and personalizing the oscillating weight. The movement runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz) and has a power reserve of about 38 hours. Something of the movement can be seen through the sapphire caseback. The watch is mounted on an alligator leather strap made by Montblanc Pelletteria in Tuscany, with stainless steel triple folding clasp. Water resistance is the standard 3 bar, 30 metres.

Every watch is certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500, which simulates 500 hours of everyday use.